Severe thunderstorms in the Var region of southeastern France have led to tragic flooding, resulting in the deaths of three people. Reports indicate that two of the victims were an elderly couple whose car was swept away by rising waters in the coastal town of Le Lavandou. A third person was found drowned in their vehicle in the commune of Vidauban.
The storms have wreaked havoc across the area, prompting Meteo-France, the national weather agency, to issue an orange alert due to the heavy rain, flooding, and thunderstorms. Le Lavandou and Bormes-les-Mimosas were among the hardest-hit locations.
Gil Bernardi, the mayor of Le Lavandou, expressed the community’s shock during a press conference. He noted extensive damage to roads, bridges, and essential services, including electricity and water supply. He described the situation as incomprehensible, stating that parts of the commune are now inaccessible.
In Cavaliere, the rainfall was particularly intense, with 250mm falling in just one hour. This led to power and water outages and caused a parking lot to collapse. Authorities reported that dozens of people had to be rescued from dangerous conditions.
Around 200 firefighters and 35 gendarmes are actively responding to the flooding in the Var region. As of 10 a.m. local time, Meteo-France recorded over 10cm of cumulative rainfall, highlighting the severity of the storms.
The situation remains critical as communities work to recover from this natural disaster.